Short-Term Hemodynamic Effects of Apelin in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Apelin agonism causes systemic vasodilatation and increased cardiac contractility in humans, and improves pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in animal models. Here, the authors examined the short-term pulmonary hemodynamic effects of systemic apelin infusion in patients with PAH. In a double-blind randomized crossover study, 19 patients with PAH received intravenous (Pyr1)apelin-13 and matched saline placebo duringinvasive right heart catheterization. (Pyr1)apelin-13 infusion caused a reduction in pulmonary vascularresistance and increased cardiac output. This effect was accentuated in the subgroup of patients receiving concomitant phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition. Apelin agonism is a novel potential therapeutic target for PAH. (EffectsofApelin on the Lung Circulation in Pulmonary Hypertension; NCT01457170).